Effect of speed and water depth on limb and back kinematics in Thoroughbred horses walking on a water treadmill.

This study examines how different walking speeds and water depths impact the limb and back movements of Thoroughbred horses exercising on a water treadmill. It suggests that understanding these effects can enhance the decision-making process when utilizing dry and water treadmill exercises in training and <a href="/equine-rehabilitation-guide/" title="Equine Rehabilitation Programs: What to Expect When Your Horse is Recovering – [Guide]”>rehabilitation programs.

Objective of Study

• The main goal of this study was to explore the impact of different walking speeds and water depths on limb and back movements in Thoroughbred horses when they exercise on a water treadmill. This is important because utilising water treadmills for horse training and rehabilitation might call for specific limb and back movements.

Methodology

• Six Thoroughbred horses were made to walk at different speeds (2.8, 4.3, 5.5, and 6.0 km/hr) at three different water depths: dry, metacarpophalangeal, and carpal.
• The movement of the horses’ limbs in the sagittal plane was captured via videography.
• Thoracolumbosacral flexion-extension (FE), lateral bend (LB), and ranges of movement (ROM) were gauged using skin surface markers on distinct points in the animal’s body such as thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spinous processes.
• Inertial motion sensors were used to measure displacements at the poll, withers, and pelvis.
• The relationship between speed, water depth, and each outcome variable was examined using multivariable mixed-effects linear-regression analyses, after preliminary univariable analyses.

Findings

• The study found that peak flexion in the metacarpophalangeal, carpal, and tarsal joints increased with speed and water depth combined, whereas peak flexion in the metatarsophalangeal joints only increased with water depth.
• Increased speed and water depth also enhanced thoracolumbar FE-ROM between T10 and L3, hindlimb retraction, pelvic displacements, and dorsoventral poll displacement.
• Hindlimb protraction also increased with speed, whereas craniocaudal poll displacement increased with speed and water depth combined.

Significance

• Understanding the effects of speed and water depth on the kinematics of horse limbs, back, and pelvis is crucial as it can improve decision making pertaining to the usage of dry and water treadmill exercises within training and rehabilitation of horses.